10 albums to get excited about in autumn 2014

As we enter the last gallop to the end of the year, we take a look at some of the biggest releases still to come before Big Ben chimes us into 2015.

Taylor Swift – 1989

We all knew a follow-up to 2012’s Number 1 album couldn’t be far away but nobody was quite expecting Taylor to drop a new single out of nowhere. But drop a new single she did – and Shake It Off came out of nowhere at the end of August, with the announcement of her fifth studio album 1989.

Named in tribute to the year Swifty was born, described as Taylor’s “first official pop album”, and with minimal cover art that doesn’t even show her face, 1989 is a big departure for Taylor. The star has been holding secret listening sessions for fans in her living room (!!!!) but her devotees have remained tightlipped about what’s on 1989 – although some of them did reveal that the pictures in her hallway are hanging a little bit wonky. Rumoured collobrators include Ryan Tedder, Diane Warren and Max Martin.

PREVIOUS FORM: Three of Taylor’s albums have been Top 10s on the Official Albums Chart, with Red being her only Number 1 – it’s sold over 500,000 copies and generated eight Top 40 entries on the Official Singles Chart – I Knew You Were Trouble charted highest, at Number 2.

WHEN: 1989 is due for release on October 27.

Damien Rice – My Favourite Faded Fantasy

You could call this a genuine comeback, as the Irish singer-songwriter prepares to release his first studio album in eight years! Damien had only ever intended to release one album O, but was persuaded to release a follow-up 9, which he has since said he’s regretted.

He’s kept himself busy with collaborations and touring – he released two live albums in 2007 – but this is his first foray back into the studio in almost a decade. Thanks to a Little Mix cover of his debut hit Cannonball for their X Factor win, Damien has found a new audience – can My Favourite Faded Fantasy land him a third Top 10 on the Official Albums Chart?

PREVIOUS FORM: Debut album O has sold over 1.2 million copies and follow-up 9 reached Number 4.

WHEN: My Favourite Faded Fantasy is out on November 3.

Calvin Harris – Motion

Scottish DJ/producer/singer/pretty much everything Calvin Harris is all set to unleash his fourth album Motion. The follow-up to 2012’s 18 Months will feature three Number 1 singles: Under Control, Summer and Blame FT John Newman, plus collaborations with the likes of Gwen Stefani, Haim and Ellie Goulding.

PREVIOUS FORM: Calvin’s last two albums, Ready For The Weekend and 18 Months, went to Number 1. He broke a chart record for the most Top 10 singles from one album – nine in total.

WHEN: November 3

Cheryl – Only Human

Cheryl Fez-Vez (as we affectionately call her) launches her fourth solo album hot on the heels of a summer Number 1 with Crazy Stupid Love. Follow-up I Don’t Care will be released just before Only Human and the album is set to include songs produced with 5SOS and Saturdays collaborators Red Triangle.

Cheryl is also believed to have been in the studio with Girls Aloud bandmate Nicola Roberts!

PREVIOUS FORM: Cheryl’s first two releases 3 Words and Messy Little Raindrops were Official Albums Chart Number 1s. 2012’s A Million Lights made it to Number 2.

WHEN: November 10

Foo Fighters – Sonic Highways

Foo Fighters’ eighth studio album comes on the band’s 20th anniversary, and will be commemorated by a documentary of the same name. Directed by frontman Dave Grohl, the eight-part series is set to debut in the USA next week.

Legendary producer Butch Vig, who produced Nevermind for Dave's former Nirvana and worked on Foo Fighters’ last album, is confirmed to be on production duties for the Sonic Highways album.

PREVIOUS FORM: Foo Fighters have scored three chart-toppers: One By One (2002), Echoes Silence Patience and Grace (2007) and Wasting Light (2011).

WHEN: November 10 – will it be a Chezza vs, erm, Fozza chart battle?

Kiesza – Sound Of A Woman

One of 2014’s success stories, the Canadian dance star is set to follow up her Number 1 single Hideaway and Top 10 Giant In My Heart with her debut album Sound Of A Woman. Third single No Enemiesz continues in the ‘emotional banger’ vein of Kiesza’s first two singles, which sets the tone for an album that will make you dance and make you think. We’re sure it will be a huge 'successz'.

PREVIOUS FORM: No albums so far as this is numero uno, but with two Top 10s under her belt, this looks like it will be a biggie.

WHEN: Expected November 17

One Direction – Four

The boys are back with – yes, you’ve guessed it – their fourth album. Among the confirmed collaborators are Ed Sheeran, who’s having a pretty amazing 2014 himself, and the McFly boys. US rockers Good Charlotte have also said they’ve worked on the album, and there is talk of The 1975, Naughty Boy, John Legend and Emeli Sandé being involved too.

Harry, Liam, Zayn, Louis and Niall have said their fourth release will have more of an edge and they have been more involved in the songwriting process. Looks like this time, it’s personal! So far we’ve heard free download Fireproof and official lead single Steal My Girl, which definitely sounds like the start of something new.

PREVIOUS FORM: 1D’s last album Midnight Memories was the top selling album of 2013. That and second album Take Me Home both reached Number 1. Debut Up All Night is their biggest seller so far – over 1 million copies!

WHEN: November 17

Nicki Minaj – The Pink Print

The Minaj has been back in a big way, thanks to starry collaborations including her very first Number 1 thanks to Jessie J and Ariana Grande on Bang Bang. But now she’s ready to take centre-stage, with new single Anaconda battling it out for Number 1 position this week.

The Pink Print, whose title riffs on Jay Z’s famous album The Blueprint, is set to be return to hip-hop for Nicki, whose last album Pink Friday…Roman Reloaded featured poppy bangers like Starships and Pound The Alarm. Although, when asked, Nicki refused to comment specifically on what type of album she was working on, only that it was a new genre called “Onika” (Nicki’s real name, fact fans). If first single Pills N Potions was anything to go by, she’ll be slowing things down a bit too on some of the tracks.

PREVIOUS FORM: Pink Friday…Roman Reloaded went to Number 1 in 2012.

WHEN: November 24 (maybe)

Labrinth – Take Me To The Truth

The long-awaited follow-up to Electronic Earth is believed to include a contribution from Ed Sheeran. Labrinth has said he wants to make more of his vocal talents on this album and that he already knows which songs will be singles! According to Labrinth, Emeli Sandé and Tinie Tempah also make an appearance!

PREVIOUS FORM: Labrinth’s debut album, Electronic Earth, peaked at Number 2 on the Official Albums Chart in 2012 and included the Top 10 hits Let The Sun Shine, Earthquake, Last Time and chart-topping Beneath Your Beautiful FT Emeli Sandé. December 1 (maybe)

Take That – III

They may have shed not one but two bandmates since 2010’s Progress, but the show must go on for Take That – and it certainly is! Following the news that Jason Orange had decided to move on, Gary, Mark and Howard recorded as a trio for the first time, with new single These Days premiering on radio this week.

The upbeat dance track hints that the guys haven’t strayed too far from the electronic sound of Progress. On production duties are Greg Kurstin, Stuart Price & Jeff Lynne.

PREVIOUS FORM: Take That have scored six Number 1s on the Official Albums Chart: Everything Changes (1993), Nobody Else (1995), Greatest Hits (1996), Beautiful World (2006), The Circus (2008) and Progress (2011).

WHEN: December 1

What albums are you looking forward to? Tell us who'll be on your headphones by the end of 2014 on Facebook or Twitter.